Sole Structure and Shoe with the Sole Structure

ABSTRACT

A sole structure includes a plate placed between an outsole and a midsole and disposed at the position corresponding to at least the forefoot and the midfoot of a wearer&#39;s foot, and a cushioning body disposed so as to face the sole of the wearer&#39;s foot at the position corresponding to the midfoot and the hindfoot of the wearer&#39;s foot and capable of absorbing a vertical impact on the upper surface of the cushioning body. The cushioning body and the plate body overlap each other in the vertical direction at the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer&#39;s foot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-178895 filed on Sep. 25, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to sole structures and shoes with the sole structure.

For example, a sole structure described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-035170 is conventionally proposed as a sole structure for shoes which is designed to reduce the burden on a foot of a person wearing a shoe (hereinafter referred to as the “wearer”) during, e.g., running.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-035170 discloses a sole structure for shoes which includes an outsole, a midsole made of a soft elastic material and placed on the outsole, and an upper plate placed on the upper surface of the midsole, and a lower plate placed between the outsole and the midsole. Each of the upper plate and the lower plate is made of a material that is more rigid than the material of the midsole and is disposed in a region corresponding to the range from the heel via the midfoot to the forefoot of the wearer's foot.

SUMMARY

Runners who want to run efficiently tend to prefer running shoes that provide high cushioning properties when the sole structure of the shoe contacts the ground or the road surface during running (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “upon contact”) and that allow the wearer to easily strike the ground or the road surface to move forward. The sole structure is subjected to an impact mainly in the vertical direction at the position corresponding to the hindfoot and/or the midfoot of the wearer's foot especially immediately after the sole structure contacts the ground or the road surface. In order to improve the cushioning properties that are provided upon contact, it is important to appropriately absorb the impact in the vertical direction.

However, the sole structure of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-035170 is configured so that the upper plate placed on the upper surface of the midsole faces the sole of the wearer's foot. Accordingly, especially the vertical impact force that is applied especially immediately after contact is not absorbed by the upper plate but is directly transmitted to the heel of the wearer's foot through the upper plate. That is, the sole structure of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-035170 cannot appropriately absorb the vertical impact that is applied upon contact and thus provide reduced cushioning properties upon contact.

The present disclosure was developed in view of the above circumferences and it is an object of the present disclosure to make it easier for a wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running and to provide sufficient cushioning properties upon contact.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a sole structure for a shoe. The sole structure includes: an outsole; a midsole made of an elastic material that is less rigid than a material of the outsole and placed on the outsole; a plate placed between the outsole and the midsole and disposed at a position corresponding to at least a forefoot and a midfoot of a wearer's foot; and a cushioning body disposed so as to face a sole of the wearer's foot at a position corresponding to at least the midfoot and a hindfoot of the wearer's foot and capable of absorbing a vertical impact on an upper surface of the cushioning body. The plate includes a plate body that is made of a material less stretchable than the material of the outsole and is in the form of a thin plate thinner than the midsole. The cushioning body and the plate body overlap each other in a vertical direction at a position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot.

In the first aspect, at the position corresponding to the hindfoot of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body disposed so as to face the sole of the wearer's foot appropriately absorbs a vertical impact force that is applied especially immediately after the sole structure contacts the ground or the road surface. The sole structure thus provide sufficient cushioning properties upon contact.

At the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body and the plate body overlap each other in the vertical direction. With this configuration, at the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body appropriately absorbs the vertical impact force that is applied upon contact, and the plate body restrains excessive bending of the sole structure. That is, at the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body provides sufficient cushioning properties and the plate body stably supports the wearer's foot. Since the plate is disposed at the position corresponding to at least the forefoot and the midfoot of the wearer's foot, a part of the outsole corresponding to this position more easily smoothly contacts the ground or the road surface.

At the position corresponding to the forefoot of the wearer's foot, the plate body restrains excessive bending of the sole structure. Stress accumulated in the plate body when the outsole contacts the ground or the road surface is converted to energy for the wearer's foot to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward. It is therefore easier for the wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running.

Accordingly, in the first aspect, the sole structure makes it easier for the wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running and provides sufficient cushioning properties upon contact.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, a front end of the cushioning body is located at the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot.

In the second aspect, the front end of the cushioning body is located at the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot. That is, the cushioning body is not disposed at the position corresponding to the forefoot of the wearer's foot. Accordingly, at the position corresponding to the forefoot of the wearer's foot, the plate body further restrains excessive bending of the sole structure, making it much easier for the wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, the cushioning body has a tilted portion that is formed so that at least the front end is tilted downward toward rear.

In the third aspect, the cushioning body has the tilted portion. Accordingly, at the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot, the cushioning properties gradually decrease as the contact part of the outsole with the ground or the road surface is shifted forward. Accordingly, when the sole structure contacts the ground or the road surface, the cushioning properties provided by the cushioning body are gradually reduced so as not to give the wearer an uncomfortable feel in his/her foot, and the wearer can transition to striking the ground or the road surface to move forward while experiencing such gradually reduced cushioning properties.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, the front end of the cushioning body has such a stepped shape that the front end is gradually withdrawn rearward as it gets closer to a bottom of the cushioning body.

In the fourth aspect, the front end of the cushioning body has such a stepped shape that the front end is gradually withdrawn rearward as it gets closer to the bottom of the cushioning body. At the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot, the cushioning properties are therefore gradually reduced as the contact part of the outsole with the ground or the road surface is shifted forward. Accordingly, when the sole structure contacts the ground or the road surface, the cushioning properties provided by the cushioning body are gradually reduced so as not to give the wearer an uncomfortable feel in his/her foot, and the wearer can transition to striking the ground or the road surface to move forward while experiencing such gradually reduced cushioning properties.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the plate body is made of a material that is more rigid than the material of the outsole.

In the fifth aspect, the plate body made of a material that is more rigid than the material of the outsole further restrains excessive bending of the sole structure. Accordingly, the wearer's foot can more quickly strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the plate body includes a protruding portion protruding upward from a peripheral edge on at least one of medial and lateral sides of the plate body, and the protruding portion is disposed at a position corresponding to at least the midfoot of the wearer's foot.

In the sixth aspect, at the position corresponding to at least the midfoot of the wearer's foot on at least one of the medial and lateral sides, the protruding portion improves rigidity of the plate body. Accordingly, at the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot, the plate body supports the wearer's foot more stably.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the plate has at least one opening extending through a part of the plate body in the vertical direction, and the opening is covered by the outsole from below.

In the seventh aspect, since the opening extends through a part of the plate body in the vertical direction, there is no plate body in the opening. Moreover, since the opening is covered by the outsole from below, not the entire lower surface of the plate body contacts the upper surface of the outsole. Accordingly, even though the outsole is sandwiched between the ground or the road surface and the plate when the wearer's foot strikes the ground or the road surface to move forward, the pressure that is applied to the outsole when the outsole contacts the ground or the road surface tends to escape from the outsole toward the midsole through the opening. Wear of the outsole is therefore reduced. As a result, damage to the outsole which is caused by aging deterioration is reduced.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the seventh aspect, the opening is longer in a longitudinal direction of the sole structure than in a lateral direction of the sole structure.

In the eighth aspect, the opening is longer in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure than in the lateral direction of the sole structure. Flexural rigidity of the plate body in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure is therefore relatively increased. Accordingly, excessive bending of the sole structure in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure is restrained, and it becomes easier for the wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a shoe including the sole structure of any one of the first to eighth aspects.

In the ninth aspect, the shoe having functions and effects similar to those of the first to eighth aspects is provided.

As described above, the sole structure or the shoe with the sole structure according to the present disclosure makes it easier for the wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward and provides sufficient cushioning properties upon contact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sole structure according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the sole structure according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the sole structure according to the embodiment as viewed from the lateral side;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating in phantom the skeletal structure of a wearer's foot shown superimposed on a plate of the sole structure according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4, illustrating a first modification of the sole structure according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4, illustrating a second modification of the sole structure according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, its application or uses.

FIG. 1 generally shows a sole structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shoes with this sole structure 1 are used as, e.g., running shoes or sports shoes for various sports.

Only the sole structure 1 for left shoes is illustrated herein. A sole structure 1 for right shoes is configured symmetrically with the sole structure 1 for left shoes. Accordingly, in the following description, only the sole structure 1 for left shoes will be described, and description of the sole structure 1 for right shoes will be omitted.

In the following description, the terms “upper (upper side)” and “lower (lower side)” indicate relative positions in the vertical direction of the sole structure 1, and the terms “front (front side)” and “rear (rear side)” indicate relative positions in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1. The “medial side” and the “lateral side” indicate relative positions in the lateral direction of the sole structure 1. In FIGS. 1 and 8, F represents the position corresponding to the forefoot of a foot of a person wearing a shoe with the sole structure 1 (hereinafter referred to as the “wearer”), M represents the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot, and H represents the position corresponding to the hindfoot of the wearer's foot.

Outsole

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sole structure 1 includes an outsole 2. The outsole 2 is disposed in a region corresponding to the range from the forefoot F to the hindfoot H of the wearer's foot.

The outsole 2 is made of a hard elastic material that is harder than the material of a midsole 3 described later. Specific examples of the material suitable for the outsole 2 include thermoplastic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU), and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber.

It is preferable that the hardness of the outsole 2 be, e.g., 50A to 80A (more preferably 60A to 70A) on the Asker A scale.

Midsole

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sole structure 1 includes the midsole 3. The midsole 3 is configured to support the sole of the wearer's foot. The midsole 3 is placed on the outsole 2 via, e.g., an adhesive. The upper surface of the midsole 3 is configured as a sole support surface 3 a what supports the sole of the wearer's foot. The shoe with the sole structure 1 includes an upper (not shown) that covers the wearer's foot. The upper is provided along the peripheral edge of the midsole.

The midsole 3 is made of a soft elastic material that is less rigid than the material of the outsole 2. Specific examples of the material suitable for the midsole 3 include thermoplastic synthetic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and their foams, thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU) and their foams, and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber and their foams.

It is preferable that the hardness of the midsole 3 be, e.g., 15C to 65C (specifically 55C) on the Asker C scale.

As also shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the midsole 3 has an accommodating portion 3 b that accommodates a cushioning body 20 described later. The accommodating portion 3 b is formed in a region corresponding to the range from the midfoot M to the hindfoot H of the wearer's foot. The accommodating portion 3 b is recessed downward from the sole support surface 3 a of the midsole 3.

Plate

As shown in FIG. 1, the sole structure 1 includes a plate 4. The plate 4 is disposed at a position corresponding to at least the forefoot F and the midfoot M of the wearer's foot. Specifically, the plate 4 of the present embodiment is disposed in a region corresponding to the range from the forefoot F to the hindfoot H of the wearer's foot. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the plate 4 is placed between the outsole 2 and the midsole 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the plate 4 has a plate body 5.

The plate body 5 is made of a material that is less stretchable than the material of the outsole 2. Specifically, the plate body 5 is preferably made of a material that is more rigid than the material of the outsole 2.

Examples of the material suitable for the plate body 5 include resin materials or rubber materials which are harder than the material of the outsole 2 and tape materials made of fabric. The plate body 5 made of a resin material with high hardness is illustrated in the present embodiment.

It is preferable that the hardness of the plate 4 be, e.g., 40D to 80D (specifically 70D) on the Shore D hardness scale.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the plate body 5 is in the form of a thin plate thinner than the midsole 3. It is preferable that the plate body 5 be in the form of a thin plate thinner than the maximum thickness of the outsole 2. Specifically, it is preferable that the plate body 5 have a thickness of, e.g., 0.5 to 2.0 mm. More specifically, it is preferable that the plate body 5 have a thickness of, e.g., 1.5 mm.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a neutral axis A is shown by an imaginary line (long dashed short dashed line) extending in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1. The neutral axis A corresponds to the axis of the sole structure 1 at the time the sole structure 1 is bent and deformed so as to be curved downward as viewed from the side. When the sole structure 1 is bent and deformed, the deformation of the part of the sole structure 1 which is located below the neutral axis A is relatively larger than that of the part of the sole structure 1 which is located above the neutral axis A. The plate body 5, which is made of a material more rigid than the material of the outsole 2, is placed on the outsole 2 at a position below the neutral axis A. The plate body 5 restrain deformation of the part of the sole structure 1 which is located below the neutral axis A. Excessive bending of the sole structure 1 is thus restrained as a whole.

The rear part of the plate body 5 branches into two portions on the medial and lateral sides. Namely, the plate body 5 has a medial-side branch portion 6 and a lateral-side branch portion 7. The medial-side branch portion 6 and the lateral-side branch portion 7 are disposed in a region corresponding to the range from the midfoot M to the hindfoot H of the wearer's foot.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the plate body 5 includes protruding portions 8. Each protruding portion 8 is disposed at a position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot. The protruding portions 8 extend in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the protruding portions 8 protrude upward from the peripheral edges on the medial and lateral sides of the plate body 5.

First Opening

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate 4 has at least one first opening 11. In the present embodiment, the plate 4 has a plurality of (in the illustrated example, three) first openings 11.

Each of the first openings 11 extends through a part of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction. The first openings 11 are longer in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1 than in the lateral direction of the sole structure 1. The first openings 11 have a larger opening area than third openings 13 described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6, the first openings 11 are covered by the outsole 2 from below. A part of the lower part of the midsole 3 is embedded in each of the first openings 11. At each of the positions of the first openings 11, the part of the lower part of the midsole 3 which is embedded in the first opening 11 is in close contact with a part of the upper surface of the outsole 2. With this configuration, the pressure that is applied to the outsole 2 when the outsole 2 contacts the ground or the road surface tends to escape from the outsole 2 toward the midsole 3 through the first openings 11.

The first openings 11 are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1. As also shown in FIG. 8, the first openings 11 are disposed at a position corresponding to the forefoot F and the midfoot M on the medial side of the wearer's foot.

The first opening 11 closest to the front side of the plate body 5 is disposed so as to correspond to, e.g., a position surrounded by the first distal phalanx DP1, the first proximal phalanx PP1, the second middle phalanx IP2, and the second proximal phalanx PP2 of the wearer's foot.

The second closest first opening 11 to the front side of the plate body 5 is disposed so as to correspond to, e.g., a position including the proximal head of the first proximal phalanx PP1 and the distal head of the first metatarsal bone MT1 near the metatarsophalangeal joint MP of the wearer's foot.

The third closest first opening 11 to the front side of the plate body 5 is disposed so as to correspond to, e.g., a position between the first metatarsal bone MT1 and the second metatarsal bone MT2 in the midfoot M of the wearer's foot.

Second Opening

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate 4 has at least one second opening 12. In the present embodiment, the plate 4 has a single second opening 12.

The second opening 12 extends through a part of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction. The second opening 12 is longer in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1 than in the lateral direction of the sole structure 1. The second opening 12 has a larger opening area than the third openings 13 described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the second opening 12 is covered by the outsole 2 from below. A part of the lower part of the midsole 3 is embedded in the second opening 12. At the position of the second opening 12, the part of the lower part of the midsole 3 which is embedded in the second opening 12 is in close contact with a part of the upper surface of the outsole 2. With this configuration, the pressure that is applied to the outsole 2 when the outsole 2 contacts the ground or the road surface tends to escape from the outsole 2 toward the midsole 3 through the second opening 12.

As also shown in FIG. 8, the second opening 12 is disposed at a position mainly corresponding to the midfoot M on the lateral side of the wearer's foot. Specifically, the second opening 12 is disposed so as to correspond to, e.g., a position between the third metatarsal bone MT3 and the fourth metatarsal bone MT4 behind the metatarsophalangeal joints MP of the wearer's foot.

Third Opening

The plate 4 has at least one third opening 13. In the present embodiment, the plate 4 has a plurality of (in the illustrated example, three) third openings 13.

Each of the third openings 13 extends through a part of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction. The third openings 13 are longer in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1 than in the lateral direction of the sole structure 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the third openings 13 are covered by the outsole 2 from below. A part of the lower part of the midsole 3 is embedded in each of the third openings 13. At each of the positions of the third openings 13, the part of the lower part of the midsole 3 which is embedded in the third opening 13 is in close contact with a part of the upper surface of the outsole 2. With this configuration, the pressure that is applied to the outsole 2 when the outsole 2 contacts the ground or the road surface tends to escape from the outsole 2 toward the midsole 3 through the third openings 13.

The third openings 13 are formed at intervals in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the sole structure 1. As also shown in FIG. 8, the third openings 13 are disposed so as to correspond to a position including the forefoot F on the lateral side of the wearer's foot.

The third opening 13 located on the front side of the plate body 5 is disposed so as to correspond to, e.g., a position including the third middle phalanx IP3 and the third proximal phalanx PP3 of the wearer's foot.

The third opening 13 located close to the middle of the plate body 5 is disposed so as to correspond to, e.g., a position between the second proximal phalanx PP2 and the third proximal phalanx PP3 of the wearer's foot.

The third opening 13 located on the lateral side of the plate body 5 is disposed so as to correspond to, e.g., a position between the fourth proximal phalanx PP4 and the fifth proximal phalanx PP5 of the wearer's foot.

Cushioning Body

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the sole structure 1 includes the cushioning body 20. The cushioning body 20 is capable of absorbing a vertical impact on its upper surface. With this configuration, the cushioning body 20 reduces the vertical impact especially on the heel (the calcaneus HL shown in FIG. 8) of the wearer's foot when the wearer's foot contacts the ground or the road surface.

Examples of the material suitable for the cushioning body 20 include thermoplastic synthetic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and their foams, thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU) and their foams, and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber and their foams. The cushioning body 20 is preferably made of a soft elastic material that is less rigid than the material of the midsole 3. Specifically, it is preferable that the hardness of the cushioning body 20 be, e.g., 40C on the Asker C scale.

The cushioning body 20 is disposed at a position corresponding to the midfoot M and the hindfoot H of the wearer's foot. Specifically, the cushioning body 20 is formed integrally with the midsole 3 via an adhesive etc. with the cushioning body 20 accommodated in the accommodating portion 3 b. The cushioning body 20 may be molded integrally with the midsole 3 with the cushioning body 20 accommodated in the accommodating portion 3 b.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the cushioning body 20 has tilted portions 22. The tilted portion 22 located at a front end 21 of the cushioning body 20 is formed so that the front end 21 is tilted downward toward the rear (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the tilted portions 22 are continuous with each other along the entire length of the lower corner of the cushioning body 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cushioning body 20 and the plate body 5 overlap each other in the vertical direction at a position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the front end 21 of the cushioning body 20 is located at a position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot. At least a part of the front end 21 of the cushioning body 20 overlaps a part of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, a part on the medial side of the cushioning body 20 overlaps the medial-side branch portion 6 of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction. Moreover, a part on the lateral side of the cushioning body 20 overlaps the lateral-side branch portion 7 of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction.

Functions and Effects of Embodiment

In the sole structure 1 according to the embodiment, at the position corresponding to the hindfoot H of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body 20 disposed so as to face the sole of the wearer's foot appropriately absorbs the vertical impact force that is applied especially immediately after the sole structure 1 contacts the ground or the road surface. The sole structure 1 provides sufficient cushioning properties upon contact.

At the position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body 20 and the plate body 5 overlap each other in the vertical direction. With this configuration, at the position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body 20 appropriately absorbs the vertical impact force that is applied upon contact, and the plate body 5 restrains excessive bending of the sole structure 1. That is, at the position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body 20 provides sufficient cushioning properties and the plate body 5 stably supports the wearer's foot. Since the plate 4 is disposed at a position corresponding to at least the forefoot F and the midfoot M of the wearer's foot, the part of the outsole 2 corresponding to this position more easily smoothly contacts the ground or the road surface.

At the position corresponding to the forefoot F of the wearer's foot, the plate body 5 restrains excessive bending of the sole structure 1. The stress accumulated in the plate body 5 when the outsole 2 contacts the ground or the road surface is converted to energy for the wearer's foot to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward. It is therefore easier for the wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running.

Accordingly, the sole structure 1 according to the embodiment makes it easier for the wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running and provides sufficient cushioning properties upon contact.

The front end 21 of the cushioning body 20 is located at the position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot. That is, the cushioning body 20 is not disposed at the position corresponding to the forefoot F of the wearer's foot. Accordingly, at the position corresponding to the forefoot F of the wearer's foot, the plate body 5 further restrains excessive bending of the sole structure 1, making it much easier for the wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running.

The cushioning body 20 has the tilted portion 22 formed so that at least the front end 21 is tilted downward toward the rear. With this tilted portion 22, at the position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot, the cushioning properties gradually decrease as the contact part of the outsole 2 with the ground or the road surface is shifted forward. Accordingly, when the sole structure 1 contacts the ground or the road surface, the cushioning properties provided by the cushioning body 20 are gradually reduced so as not to give the wearer an uncomfortable feel in his/her foot, and the wearer can transition to striking the ground or the road surface to move forward while experiencing such gradually reduced cushioning properties.

The plate body 5 made of a material that is more rigid than the material of the outsole 2 further restrains excessive bending of the sole structure 1. Accordingly, the wearer's foot can more quickly strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running.

At the position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot on the medial and lateral sides, the protruding portions 8 improve rigidity of the plate body 5. Accordingly, at the position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot, the plate body 5 supports the wearer's foot more stably.

Each of the first openings 11 (opening) extends through a part of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction. That is, there is no plate body 5 in the first openings 11. The first openings 11 are covered by the outsole 2 from below. The plate body 5 is thus configured so that not the entire lower surface of the plate body 5 contacts the upper surface of the outsole 2. Accordingly, even though the outsole 2 is sandwiched between the ground or the road surface and the plate 4 when the wearer's foot strikes the ground or the road surface to move forward, the pressure that is applied to the outsole 2 when the outsole 2 contacts the ground or the road surface tends to escape from the outsole 2 toward the midsole 3 through the first openings 11. Wear of the outsole 2 is therefore reduced. As a result, damage to the outsole 2 which is caused by aging deterioration is reduced. Each of the second opening 12 and the third openings 13 of the plate 4 can also have functions and effects similar to those of the first openings 11.

The first openings 11 are longer in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1 than in the lateral direction of the sole structure 1. Flexural rigidity of the plate body 5 in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1 is therefore relatively increased. Accordingly, excessive bending of the sole structure 1 in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1 is restrained, and it becomes easier for the wearer to strike the ground or the road surface to move forward during running. Each of the second opening 12 and the third openings 13 of the plate 4 can also have functions and effects similar to those of each of the first openings 11.

A shoe having the sole structure 1 according to the embodiment also has the above functions and effects.

First Modification of Embodiment

As in a first modification shown in FIG. 9, a cushioning body 20, which is a layered structure of first and second sheet materials 24, 25, may be accommodated in the accommodating portion 3 b of the midsole 3. Each of the first and second sheet materials 24, 25 is made of, e.g., foamed rubber, foam of a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin, etc. It is preferable that the hardness of each of the first and second sheet materials 24, 25 be, e.g., 20C on the Asker C scale.

The front end 21 of the cushioning body 20 of the first modification has such a stepped shape that the front end 21 is gradually withdrawn rearward as it gets closer to the bottom of the cushioning body 20. Specifically, the first sheet material 24, which is the upper sheet material of the cushioning body 20, is longer in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1 than the second sheet material 25, which is the lower sheet material of the cushioning body 20.

As described above, in the first modification, the front end 21 of the cushioning body 20 has such a stepped shape that the front end 21 is gradually withdrawn rearward as it gets closer to the bottom of the cushioning body 20. At the position corresponding to the midfoot M of the wearer's foot, the cushioning properties are therefore gradually reduced as the contact part of the outsole 2 with the ground or the road surface is shifted forward. Accordingly, when the sole structure 1 contacts the ground or the road surface, the cushioning properties provided by the cushioning body 20 are gradually reduced so as not to give the wearer an uncomfortable feel in his/her foot, and the wearer can transition to striking the ground or the road surface to move forward while experiencing such gradually reduced cushioning properties.

Second Modification of Embodiment

In the above embodiment, the cushioning body 20 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 3 b of the midsole 3. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this form. For example, as in a second modification shown in FIG. 10, the entire rear part of the midsole 3 may be replaced with a cushioning body 20 in the range from the midfoot M to the hindfoot H of the wearer's foot. For example, the cushioning body 20 is formed integrally with the midsole 3 at the position of the front end 21.

In the second modification, as in the above embodiment, the cushioning body 20 provides sufficient cushioning properties when the sole structure 1 contacts the ground or the road surface. Moreover, since the front end 21 of the cushioning body 20 of the second modification also has a tilted portion 22, the second modification has functions and effects similar to those of the above embodiment.

Other Embodiments

In the above embodiment, the plate 4 is disposed in the region corresponding to the range from the forefoot F to the hindfoot H of the wearer's foot. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this form. The plate 4 need only be disposed at a position corresponding to at least the forefoot F and the midfoot M of the wearer's foot.

In the above embodiment, the plate 4 has the plurality of first openings 11. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this form. The plate 4 may have only one first opening 11.

In the above embodiment, the plate 4 has the second opening 12 and the third openings 13. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this form. The plate 4 may not have the second opening 12 and the third openings 13.

In the above embodiment, the first openings 11 are longer in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 1 than in the lateral direction of the sole structure 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this form. For example, the first openings 11 may have a square or substantially circular shape so as to have substantially the same length in both the longitudinal and lateral directions of the sole structure 1. Similarly, the second opening 12 and the third openings 13 may also have a square or substantially circular shape so as to have substantially the same length in both the longitudinal and lateral directions of the sole structure 1.

In the above embodiment, the protruding portions 8 are formed along the peripheral edges on the medial and lateral sides of the plate body 5. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this form. For example, at least one protruding portion 8 may be formed along the peripheral edge on either the medial side or the lateral side of the plate body 5. Alternatively, the protruding portions 8 may not be formed along the peripheral edges on the medial and lateral sides of the plate body 5.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present disclosure is industrially applicable as a sole structure for, e.g., running shoes and shoes for various sports and shoes with the sole structure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sole structure for a shoe, comprising: an outsole; a midsole made of an elastic material that is less rigid than a material of the outsole and placed on the outsole; a plate placed between the outsole and the midsole and disposed at a position corresponding to at least a forefoot and a midfoot of a wearer's foot; and a cushioning body disposed so as to face a sole of the wearer's foot at a position corresponding to at least the midfoot and a hindfoot of the wearer's foot and capable of absorbing a vertical impact on an upper surface of the cushioning body, wherein the plate includes a plate body that is made of a material less stretchable than the material of the outsole and is in the form of a thin plate thinner than the midsole, and the cushioning body and the plate body overlap each other in a vertical direction at a position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot.
 2. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein a front end of the cushioning body is located at the position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer's foot.
 3. The sole structure of claim 2, wherein the cushioning body has a tilted portion that is formed so that at least the front end is tilted downward toward rear.
 4. The sole structure of claim 2, wherein the front end of the cushioning body has such a stepped shape that the front end is gradually withdrawn rearward as it gets closer to a bottom of the cushioning body.
 5. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plate body is made of a material that is more rigid than the material of the outsole.
 6. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plate body includes a protruding portion protruding upward from a peripheral edge on at least one of medial and lateral sides of the plate body, and the protruding portion is disposed at a position corresponding to at least the midfoot of the wearer's foot.
 7. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plate has at least one opening extending through a part of the plate body in the vertical direction, and the opening is covered by the outsole from below.
 8. The sole structure of claim 7, wherein the opening is longer in a longitudinal direction of the sole structure than in a lateral direction of the sole structure.
 9. A shoe, comprising the sole structure of claim
 1. 10. A shoe comprising the sole structure of claim
 2. 11. A shoe comprising the sole structure of claim
 3. 12. A shoe comprising the sole structure of claim
 4. 13. A shoe comprising the sole structure of claim
 5. 14. A shoe comprising the sole structure of claim
 6. 15. A shoe comprising the sole structure of claim
 7. 16. A shoe comprising the sole structure of claim
 8. 